BY Deasha Bent
Staff Reporter
On Feb. 25, The Vegan/Vegetarian Enthusiasts Group, commonly known as The VEG, held one of their meetings. According to senior President Kayla “Kay” Kanakry, The VEG meets every Monday at 7:45 p.m. and encourages everyone to attend. The group currently has 14 members but is open to all.
“The VEG has a growing population and we intend to reach more students by hosting events in this year’s Social Justice week and around campus,” said Kanakry.
Kanakry brought The VEG to Sacred Heart in Nov. 2018 and has become more involved on campus. The group was brought to campus for other students who live a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle.
“The Vegan/Vegetarian Enthusiasts Group is a place where education and awareness of dietary needs in the SHU community can be addressed and brought to the dining table,” said Kanakry.
The group is not exclusive to only vegan or vegetarians. The VEG is opened to all kinds of veggie eaters who have different dietary plans, including meat eaters. There also happens to be more than one type of vegetarian.
“Our members can be Vegan, Ovo-Vegetarian, Lacto-Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Paleo, Keto, gluten free, dairy free, egg free, kosher, peanut free, soy free, shellfish or fish free,” said Kanakry.
The VEG has a mission to make the university’s dining halls include more diverse, locally sourced, homemade, fresh plant-based dishes.
“We hope to educate the SHU community on what it truly means to have a plant-based lifestyle through colloquiums and campus activities which would, of course, involve great fresh food,” said Kanakry.
According to healthyeating.sfgate.com, since becoming a vegetarian or vegan, eating plant-based foods can give you access to more energy.
“I do everything I can. I practice yoga, run, lift, surf, rock climb, hike, kayak, skate. You can do everything, including changing your diet,” said Kanakry.
According to sophomore Catherine Albo, the club’s media chair, it also just depends on the food you eat that gives you energy as well.
“If I eat fried food, then I have less energy, but if I eat fresh vegetables, then I feel super refreshed and energized,” said Albo.
Kanakry has been a vegetarian for 13 years, and once she reached her senior year in high school, she became a vegan.
“I eat everything you do, except I do not kill or use animals for any food. I also hate packaged and processed foods,” said Kanakry.
Albo decided to become a vegetarian in the eighth grade.
“I decided to give up meat for lent because I wanted to eat heathier options,” said Albo.
Afterwards, Albo wanted to see how further she could go without meat and has been a vegetarian for six years.
According to Albo, there are some interesting places in the area that she enjoys eating off campus as a vegetarian.
“Vegandale is a big event that provides lots of vegan options,” said Albo.
There is also another place located in Southport, Conn. called Organica that is a great place for vegans and vegetarians because of its wide variety of plant-based options.
Freshman Linnea Caraballo, who has been a vegan for two years, suggests Bloodroot which is located in Fairfield.
“Bloodroot is more of a sit in restaurant,” said Caraballo.
While Caraballo is a commuter, she makes the best of what she can find on campus.
“Linda’s cauliflower pizza is good if you get it without cheese and the veggie burger, with no bun or the gluten free bun, is also really good,” said Caraballo.
To get more students involved, The VEG has a social media account on Instagram that can give you some ideas if considering changing your eating habits.
“If you want to try some great meals, I would follow our Instagram @veg_shu,” said Kanakry.
“Come to our meetings, for more recipes, we are creating a college friendly cookbook. We also will be hosting more Teaching Kitchen Events in Linda’s, so even if you are not plant based, come check it out,” said Kanakry.
